Jerry Brotton

Professor Jerry Brotton is a Professor of Renaissance Studies at Queen Mary University of London, affiliated with the School of English and Drama. He holds a BA from Sussex University, an MA from Essex University, and a PhD from Queen Mary. His academic career includes a research fellowship at Leeds University, a lectureship at Royal Holloway, and his current professorship since 2003. His research focuses on Renaissance intellectual history, cartography, and global cultural exchange, with notable works such as A History of the World in Twelve Maps and This Orient Isle.

• Education: BA (Sussex), MA (Essex), PhD (QMUL)
• Affiliations: Centre for Early Modern Mapping, J.B. Harley Research Trust, People’s Palace Projects

His research interests span Renaissance drama, Shakespearean studies, and the history of discovery. He has curated exhibitions at the Venice Biennale and the Bodleian Library, and collaborates with institutions like Factum Arte on cartographic installations. His public engagement includes BBC TV/radio programs and literary festivals.

Awards include Book of the Year in Austria and New York Times Bestseller recognition. Current projects include an Oxford exhibition on maps and a book on discovery history.